Much is made of the crash, bang, wallop nature of one-day cricket but as Durham demonstrated yesterday, the basics are just as crucial in the 45-over format.

That Durham made 224 in the National League Division Two clash was thanks largely to the century partnership between Dale Benkenstein and Gordon Muchall. That the visitors were out for 138 runs less was largely down to Liam Plunkett's pace, movement and a disciplined line and length.

Plunkett produced a career-best four for 28 to rip through the top order. A full ball accounted for Scott Newman before England internationals Mark Ramprakash and Alistair Brown were sent back for none.

Ramprakash's golden duck had much to do with wicketkeeper Phil Mustard's right-handed catch, while Brown left a ball heading for his off-stump.

When Jon Batty followed leg before, Surrey Lions were 45 for five, Mick Lewis having accounted for opener James Benning.

They briefly steadied the ship, the experienced Graham Thorpe showing how it should be done until his colleagues one by one lost their heads and began gifting wickets to the steady bowling of Benkenstein.

The South African's figures of four for 16 may have been better than Plunkett's, but they owed much to the panic among the Surrey batting. Paul Collingwood wrapped up the innings for 86 to complete a victory unimaginable 25 overs into Durham's knock.

Having lost the toss and been put in, the hosts recovered from a tight opening spell by Tim Murtagh, showing admirable patience to take advantage of Surrey's depleted attack. Skipper Mike Hussey had sprinted a single off the first ball, but was soon frustrated by Murtagh. He charged down the wicket to spoon it into the air and the hands of Clinton. It was the first of two wicket maidens in three for 12 from Murtagh's nine overs. At the other end Nicky Peng cashed in on a no-ball from Mohammad Akram to score 12 off just two legitimate deliveries. It was a rare early highlight for the hosts, however, just four coming from the next 29 balls.

Durham were three down, Peng and Lewis caught by Batty in consecutive Murtagh overs. But Collingwood and half-centurions Benkenstain and Muchall began rebuilding.

They milked spinner Nayan Doshi and sat tight until an acceleration with 110 runs from the final 13 overs, with Muchall more steady than Benkenstein, reaching his 50 from fewer balls (51 to Benkenstein's 74). The pair had put on 100 when Benkenstein holed out to Newman. Durham reached 224 for eight which looked above par, all the more so once Plunkett began.